St. Louis classical calendar for the week of March 7, 2016

The Bach Society of St. Louis

Share on Google+:

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis presents The Bach Society of St. Louis in a performance of Gabriel Fauré's Requiem on Sunday at 7:30 p.m., March 13, at the cathedral at 4431 Lindell. "Cathedral Concerts is proud to collaborate with one of St. Louis finest arts organizations, the Bach Society of Saint Louis, as together we present Faure's "Requiem" in the heavenly setting of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. Don't miss your opportunity to hear this beloved masterpiece." For more information: www.cathedralconcerts.org.

The Chamber Project St. Louis presents Divine on Friday, March 11, at 8:00 PM. "Heaven and earth intersect with this program highlighting Schubert's String Quintet, often regarded as the pinnacle of chamber music, composed to express the universality of the human condition. Stabat Mater for soprano and string quartet by Virgil Thomson compliments and rounds out the program. We return to The Chapel for this intimate and beautiful program." The performance takes place at The Chapel, 6238 Alexander Drive in Clayton. For more information: www.chamberprojectstl.org.

The Confluence Chamber Orchestra presents a preview performance of The Roots of Ragtime on Monday, March 7, at noon. "Preparing for next year's Scott Joplin 150th Birthday, the Confluence Chamber Orchestra presents Roots of Ragtime, a concert tracing the development of this uniquely American musical form – from its sources in Romantic classical music, the marches of John Philip Sousa, and popular dances of the period. Selections will include Celebrated Dances by antebellum African American composer Frank Johnson, Grand Bamboula by Louis Moreau Gottschalk, Liberty Bell March by John Philip Sousa, At a Georgia Campmeeting by Kerry Mills, and of course The Entertainer, by Scott Joplin. The program was developed in cooperation with the Friends of Scott Joplin and the Missouri History Museum." The concert takes place at The Monday Club, 37 South Maple in Webster Groves. For more information: confluencechamberorchestra.org.

The Confluence Chamber Orchestra

The Confluence Chamber Orchestra presents The Roots of Ragtime on Thursday, March 10, at 7 p.m. "Preparing for next year's Scott Joplin 150th Birthday, the Confluence Chamber Orchestra presents Roots of Ragtime, a concert tracing the development of this uniquely American musical form – from its sources in Romantic classical music, the marches of John Philip Sousa, and popular dances of the period. Selections will include Celebrated Dances by antebellum African American composer Frank Johnson, Grand Bamboula by Louis Moreau Gottschalk, Liberty Bell March by John Philip Sousa, At a Georgia Campmeeting by Kerry Mills, and of course The Entertainer, by Scott Joplin. The program was developed in cooperation with the Friends of Scott Joplin and the Missouri History Museum." The concert takes place at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park. For more information: confluencechamberorchestra.org.

The Fox Theatre presents The Piano Guys on Thursday, March 10, at 7:30 p.m. "What do you get when you mix up a marketing genius that does video, a studio engineer that writes music, a pianist that had a successful solo career, and a cellist that does pretty much everything? The Piano Guys: a miraculous meeting of "guys" with the same intrinsic purpose – to make a positive impact in the lives of people all over the world through music videos. Hailing from Utah, The Piano Guys became an Internet sensation by way of their immensely successful series of strikingly original self-made music videos. They've made over 35 since joining forces in early 2011, including their hit video, an innovative 10-handed version of One Direction's 'What Makes You Beautiful.'" But it's the Guys' highly original blend of classical music with pop that has really been the cause of their Internet phenomenon. The Fox Theatre is on North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: fabulousfox.com.

Leonard Slatkin conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in Berlioz's Roméo et Juliette Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., March 11 and 12. The program is part of the Symphony's four-week Shakespeare Festival. "Berlioz pays homage to the most famous love story of all time in his elegant Roméo et Juliette. Full of lyrical beauty, Berlioz was influenced by Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and Shakespeare's epic drama. The STL Symphony and Chorus perform together conveying the magic and brevity of love in this work performed under the baton of Conductor Laureate Leonard Slatkin bringing the Shakespeare Festival to a spectacular conclusion." Performances take place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand.For more information: stlsymphony.org.

The St. Louis Wind Symphony performs Julie Giroux's Symphony No. 5 ("Heartland Portraits") and other wind band compositions on Sunday, March 13, at 3 PM.  The performance takes place in the Viragh Center on the Chaminade School campus in on North Lindbergh in Ladue. For more information: stlwindsym.org.

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents Eric Mandat, clarinetist/composer, with Kendra Stenger, visual artist on Thursday, March 10, at 8 p.m. "Infinite Edges juxtaposes movements from Eric's recent solo clarinet composition, Chiral Symmetries, with improvisational commentaries, both acoustic and with interactive technologies. The work explores the edges between parallels and divergences in our interactions in controlled environments, and analogous processes which occur independently of our control, yet which often profoundly influence our perceptions, reactions, and ongoing transformations of being." The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt in the Debaliviere Place neighborhood.  For more information: tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com.

Washington University presents Not So Classical, a multimedia film and concert experience featuring violinist Tatiana Berman and two time grammy-nominated classical saxophonist Amy Dickson, on Thursday, March 10, at 7:30 p.m. The events takes place at the 560 Music Center Ballroom Theatre in University City. "The experimental hybrid film/concert experience has only been performed once, making St. Louis the second city on a growing list of destinations. The concert’s running time of approximately 75 minutes, fast pace, and story driven program was designed specifically for a contemporary world dominated by visual media. Traditionalists will also appreciate the program, which includes short pieces from composers including Bach, Schumann and a few surprises." For more information: www.culturemonster.org.

St. Louis classical calendar for the week of August 24, 2015

Share on Google+:

The Confluence Chamber Orchestra presents a Family Concert on Sunday, August 30, at 3 p.m. "Scott Joplin's The Entertainer, Emperor Waltz and Pizzicato Polka by Johann Strauss, Jr., the Vivace from Bach's Double Violin Concerto, plus Swedish wedding marches, Klezmer favorites and more. Conveniently located in downtown Clayton, plenty of free parking on street and in lot behind the church." The concert takes place at St. Joseph Church, 106 N. Meramec in Clayton. For more information: confluencechamberorchestra.org.

The 442s

Nine Network and the St. Louis Symphony present The 442s in concert on Thursday, August 27, at 7:30 p.m. "The 442s take the stage in the Public Media Commons to share their distinctive and innovative blend of jazz, classical, folk and rock music. The 442s features Symphony members Shawn Weil and Bjorn Ranheim, joined by Adam Maness and Sydney Rodway of the Erin Bode Group. The band's self-titled debut album was released last summer and has received critical acclaim here in St. Louis and across the country." The concert takes place at the Public Media Commons on Olive Street in Grand Center. For more information: ninenet.org.

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents pianist Mark Laverty on Friday, August 28, at 8 p.m. "Pianist Mark Laverty will perform the Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, English Suite in G Minor and other works by Bach, as well as Concert Etudes, Liebestraum and Mephisto Waltz by Liszt." The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt in the Debaliviere Place neighborhood. For more information: tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com.

St. Louis classical calendar for the week of May 11, 2015

Empire Brass

Share on Google+

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis presents a concert by the Empire Brass and organist Douglas Major on Wednesday, May 13, at 8 p.m. "The Empire Brass enjoys an international reputation as North America's finest brass quintet, renowned for its brilliant virtuosity and the unparalleled diversity of its repertoire. The five musicians – all of whom have held leading positions with major American orchestras – perform over 100 concerts a year in cities such as New York, Boston, Chicago, Washington, London, Zurich and Tokyo. Douglas Major, organist, is a prominent American composer of sacred music and concert organist. He is the former choral director and organist at the Washington National Cathedral, Washington, D.C., where he frequently performed on nationally-televised services and state occasions." The Cathedral is at 4431 Lindell in the Central West End. For more information: cathedralconcerts.org.

The Chamber Music Society of St. Louis presents Hard Core Classics 2015 on Tuesday, May 12, at 7:30 p.m. "Sylvia McNair will be our Special Guest Artist. Ms. McNair will be featured with the St. Louis Women's HOPE Chorale to sing Paul Rueter's Temple Built in Trust and Hope." The performance features music by Mozart and Mendelssohn and takes place in The Sheldon Concert Hall at 3648 Washington. For more information: chambermusicstl.org.

The Confluence Chamber Orchestra presents Musical Postcards on Sunday, May 17, at 3 p.m. "A hour of musical postcards from around the world sent by Boccherini, Bach, Handel, Telemann, Bizet, Grieg, Janacek, Gottschalk and Hofeldt. Join our multi-generational orchestra for punch and cookies afterward." The concert takes place at St. Joseph Church, 106 N. Meramec in Clayton. For more information: confluencechamberorchestra.org.

Arnie Roth conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in Distant Worlds, a concert of music from the Final Fantasy video game series, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., May 15 and 16. "Including music from all fourteen games and an HD video presentation of exclusive content from game developers SQUARE ENIX, experience the entertainment phenomenon that has thrilled audiences all over the globe." The concerts take place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand in Grand Center. For more information: stlsymphony.org.

The Tavern of Fine Arts presents a classical open stage night on Monday, May 11, from 7:30 – 9 PM. “Come by yourself or bring your quartet. Sight read through a Beethoven quartet or use this as an opportunity to put the finishing touches on that Hindemith Viola Sonata you have been working on. All ages and skill levels are welcome. We have a 6' grand piano and an accompanist.” The Tavern of Fine Arts is at 313 Belt in the Debaliviere Place neighborhood. For more information: tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com.

St. Louis classical calendar for the week of November 24, 2014

Jitro

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis presents a holiday concert with Jitro, the Czech Girls Choir, on Monday, November 24, at 8 PM.  "Jitro, meaning “daybreak” in Czech, and based in Hradec Kralove, a town in the Czech Republic, is an organization of 500 girls in seven preparatory ensembles, of which only the best 25-50 qualify to tour. For 35 years they have been admired all over the world for their tone, intonation, and rich blend of sound and energetic vitality. Jitro performs in over 100 concerts annually in the world’s most prestigious concert halls and are committed to inspiring audiences with music performed at the highest level. Jitro has become a new favorite of St. Louis audiences, making their third appearance at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis but their first holiday performance."  The Cathedral is at 4431 Lindell in the Central West End.  For more information: cathedralconcerts.org.

The Confluence Chamber Orchestra presents a free Holiday Concert on Saturday, November 29, at noon at the Old Courthouse at 4th and Market on the riverfront. " Under the direction of William Bauer, the 21-piece orchestra’s mission is to encourage lifetime enjoyment of playing string instruments and sharing it with others. The group’s players range in age from 18 to 94."  For more information: confluencechamberorchestra.org.

The 442s

The Kranzberg Arts Center presents The 442s on Wednesday, November 26, at 7:00 p.m.  "What happens when you combine two outstanding members of the world-class St. Louis Symphony with two of the city’s finest jazz musicians from the Erin Bode Group? You get The 442′s, an exciting new acoustic instrumental quartet named for the modern standard tuning of 442 Hz! Brought together by the innovative and inspired compositions of Adam Maness, who also plays guitar, accordion, melodica and glockenspiel in the group, The 442′s features Shawn Weil on violin, Bjorn Ranheim on cello and Sydney Rodway on bass. This unique collaboration, formed in the spring of 2012 by a tight-knit group whose love of good food and fine beer makes rehearsals feel like dinner parties, combines outstanding musicianship, group singing, inventive improvisation, whistle solos and special guest appearances by famed jazz vocalist, Erin Bode."  The Kranzberg Center is at the corner of Grand and Olive in Grand Center.  For more information: www.the442s.com.

David Robertson

David Robertson conducts the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra along with Kirill Gerstein, piano; bassoonists Andrew Cuneo, Andrew Gott, and Felicia Foland; and Gregg Henegar, contrabassonon; Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., November 28-30.  "Since its debut in the Roaring Twenties, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue has thrilled audiences with its reflection of the excitement and energy of New York City.  Kirill Gerstein and the STL Symphony will take you on a ride from its lively opening through the romantic dance of the work’s main theme.  With additional toe-tapping music from Bernstein, David Robertson conducts this American program enhanced by innovative lighting projection by renowned artist S. Katy Tucker. This production features video and lighting elements by S. Katy Tucker, a reknowned artist known for her design work at Carnegie Hall, the San Francisco Opera, Sydney Symphony and more." The concerts take place at Powell Symphony Hall, 718 North Grand in Grand Center.  For more information: stlsymphony.org.

The Society for Creative Survival presents Triple Threat, a concert by The Vernacular String Quartet, Nexus, and Creative Delusions, on Tuesday, November 25, at 7:30 p.m.. The performances takes place at  Tavern of Fine Arts, 313 Belt in the Debaliviere Place neighborhood.  For more information: tavern-of-fine-arts.blogspot.com